The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-05-04
REGULATING THE RAILROADS

The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion began its sessions in the Council Chamber
of the City Hall, at Atlanta, GA, on the 9th
ult The commission expressed a desire TO
hear from the railways, and list of witnesses
was given. The first witness examined was
Charles A Sindall, Secretary of the Southern
Railway and Steamship Association. He
gave minute explanations of how rates are
made and maintained by railroads and
water lines. He was cross-examined at
great length by Judge Cooley, Com
missioners Walker aud Bragg. L. NJ. Emer-
son, of the Atlantic Coast Line, and
w. p. Shelman Of the Georgia Central Rail-
road were also examined on the same points
at great length. Mr.. Ogden, of the Southern
Railway and Steamship Association, testified
touching the ference between water rates
and land rates. He said that, to great ex-
tent, water rates controlled the ratios OF the
railroads He showed how rates on certain
classes of freight would be affected if the long
and short hauls should be enforced. Sol
Haas, of Richmond, Va, agent of the
associated roads of Virginia and the Caro-
llnas, testified that rates on his lines were
controlled by the trunk lines and water routes;
the only complaint had been from competitive
points. j. NJ Culp, of the Louisville and
Nashville Road, said that rates from the West
to the South were controlled by ocean compe-
ttion. The rates TO various Southern cities
were affected by water competition Col. S A.
Pierce President Of the Columbia Is c. Board
of Trade read memorial from that body set
ting forth the serious damage that would result
to the farming community and shipping in
marketing their commodities if the fourth
section were enforced About dozen other
citizens presented similar memorials large
number of colored men petitioned for the en-
forcement of their right TO equal accommoda-
tons on the railroads. kilograms were re-
ceived from the Cotton Exchange and Board
of Trade Of Savannah asking that Sec. be
enforced. a Washington dispatch says "the
Commissions correspondence is increasing
very fast, and Secretary Mosely now has a
force of five clerks and messenger hard at
work classifying it and answering such as can
be answered in accordance with decisions al
ready made"
The Interstate Commission concluded
its sittings at Atlanta on the 18th ul. and left
for Mobile. A memorial was received from
the Wilmington (N c. Chamber OF Commerce
and Produce Exchange strongly urging the en-
forcement Of the long and short haul
section. A memorial was presented
from business men of Opelika, Ala
bama, showing how railroads Disseminated
against that town in favor of Columbus aud
Montgomery. Judge Chisholm, counsel of
the Plant system, made an argument favor
ing the suspension of the long aud short haul
clause He was followed by Gen. T. z. Alex
ander, President of the Georgia Central Road,
on the same side. The Tacoma CIV. IT, Cham
Der of Commerce has written the Commission,
asking that transcontinental lines be exempted
| from the operation of Section T. 1t repre-
sents that freight rates between New York,
Chicago, and the Pacific coast have adj
vanced between 100 and 200 per cent, and
adds: @If strict construction Of the law is
adhered 10, the effect will be practically pro-
hibitory Of either emigration from or to the
East and our Territory will suffer meal
culable injury The following letter from
Judge Cooley, addressed TO the Sisters OF st
Joseph, ST Louis, Mo-, explains itself:
Yours of the 18th inst, requesting that the
railroad companies be authorized 10 give you
| free transportation, as they have been accus-
toned TO do has been received and considered
J and the Commission regrets that it can make
no order upon them for your benefit. The rail-